レビュー

• An incredibly powerful novel

  In "The Children's War", J. N. Stroyar has written a novel of immense creativity, startling realism and remarkable emotion. While it functions brilliantly as an example of the "alternate-history" genre it is also much more. By imagining a Third Reich that existed into the 21st century, Stroyar provides herself with the perfect backdrop to explore the central themes of this novel: humanity, hope, compassion, revenge...I could go on, there are so many. At its core, "The Children's War" is the story of Peter Halifax a victim of unspeakable Nazi brutality. After years of humiliation, servitude and beatings, he escapes to the Polish Underground; however, his hopes of a more simple, free, life are shattered as he faces the judgement of people who barely even understand what they are fighting for. That's where the novel gets its name, the resistance is fighting for something completely intangible, they are children who have never known freedom, or Poland, or justice, as anything other than a concept. In their quest for survival they have had to make so many compromises their resistance has become almost ritualized. Furthermore, their necessary isolation has calcified many of their views to the point where they are almost as prejudiced, although not as brutal, as the Nazis. Therein lies the central dichotomy of the novel. Peter is appalled at the accommodations that the Poles have made with the Nazis in order to guarantee their survival. At the same, the Poles judge Peter for having done what he needed to do to survive, without having ever been in a similar position; always safe in their "Ivory Bunker". Ultimately, they are both right and both wrong; in a world of constant warfare, everything is shades of gray. The characters come to realize that humanity is something that you carry in your heart and your mind, not necessarily in your actions. In terms of the narrative writing and characterizations, I was blown away. The writing was among the best I have ever encountered, which is all the more remarkable since the author is a first time novelist. In particular, Stroyar avoided the pitfall that many authors fall into when writing alternate history: to much information. All to often the authors feel the need to explain in painstaking detail how they arrived at the time the are writing about. Not so Stroyar, who clearly understands that a well drawn present with sufficient, but not overt, background information is more important than the reverse. Furthermore, Stroyar has a superb grasp of politics, both international and domestic. She understands perfectly the stasis that totalitarian regimes must inevitably fall in to, and the introverted inertia that so plagues democracies at peace. The characters are brutally real, they exhibit an incredible range of emotion, and while not always sympathetic, they are always human. There were actually times when I had to stop reading this novel because it was just too gut wrenching. Of course I couldn't stay away for more than 15 minutes, but I have never been affected by a novel that way. At this point it's fairly obvious that I loved this novel. "The Children's War" is a great alternate history, it is a great spy-thriller, but mostly it's just great literature. It is a work of tremendous depth and is profoundly moving. Not only does it entertain, but it makes the reader think; both about the world today, and about what might have been.. In the end, I can't say anything more than, "READ THIS NOVEL!" you won't regret it.

• One Star

  hated this story from page one. Utterly depressing. Was very disappointed with this book.

• Gripping and intense novel

  I first read this book when it came out in 2001, and have just finished rereading it again. On both readings, the story pulled me in, the characters were gripping, and vision of a modern day Nazi dystopia in Europe was chillingly believable. If you're fascinated by alternate history, "The Children's War" (and it's sequel, "A Change of Regime") are well worth the time that it will take to read all 1150-odd pages. Be forewarned: this book contains explicit descriptions of torture and some truly horrific violence. If that's going to bother you, you may want to take a pass on this book. Similarly, if you're looking for some upbeat reading, a book on life 60 years into a Nazi regime is probably not your best choice. But if you're looking for a plausible telling of what a modern day Nazi Europe would be like, this book has it. Some reviewers have complained that this book is too dark, too negative...that the Nazis wouldn't be able to stay in power with a system that is as violent and corrupt as what is portrayed in this novel. I don't agree -- the fact is that the old Soviet Union lasted 70 years, so the idea that the Nazis could hold on for a similar length of time is distressingly easy to believe. Another complaint was that the author didn't provide an explanation for why Hitler doesn't invade the USSR in her world -- but it is, in fact, there as a passing reference (in the form of advice from Hitler's astrologer).

• Recent Newcomer To Alternative History

  What can I say about Children's War. Deeply moving, involved is not an appropriate word, but its all that I can think of, maybe involved times 10. Simply a wonderful book. Its been a long time since I cared about a character in a novel and I deeply cared for Peter he became a part of my life for the better part of a month. I was lent the book by a friend along with The Plot Against America, and In the Presence of Mine Enemies, needless to say I was not overly impressed with either of those, I have read Alt. History but pick and choose what I read. 1901, and Fatherland have been about the best I've read up till Children's War. I was a bit intimidated upon first being lent the book, but once I started I loved it. I would recommend picking up this book, though the paperback might be a better choice the hardback can become a little uncomfortable at times, and reading it becomes a physical task as well as mental.

• Big time investment but worth it

  J. N. Stroyar's "The Children's War" and its sequel, A Change of Regime" are the type of books that create an immediate, believable imaginary universe. I love alternate history and counterfactuals, and these books are very well done examples of the genre. The POD is clear, believable, realistic with no ASBs. I also think the books transcend genre and may be read as literary fiction. The people to whom I have loaned these books first have the same type of reaction I did to the size. Thing is, once you start reading you will find them too short. I hope a third is written.

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